The report draws attention to the serious threats that migrant
children face on their way to Europe, and to important gaps in the
policies and procedures, which limit the legal opportunities for
migration in Europe and put these children at risk of falling into
the hands of smugglers and traffickers.

It condemns violent practices such as detaining migrant children
and using invasive methods in age-assessment procedures, which may
have devastating effects on the child’s physical, emotional and psychological
development.

The report highlights the need for a common strategy to be
adopted by the governments of the member States of the Council of
Europe on how to combat violence against migrant children in all
its forms and to ensure the broad and comprehensive protection of
their human rights.

Member States are urged to undertake a set of legislative
and policy implantation measures to prevent all cases of violence
against migrant children.